9 Days

It took 9 days of closing every public school in the state, but teachers in West Virginia certainly got the attention of lawmakers and a deal was finally reached that improves pay immediately and works toward a solution on healthcare.

On the ninth school day of the statewide West Virginia teacher strike, the state legislature struck a deal to give all teachers a 5 percent raise in hopes of ending the strike.

Update, 3/6, 1:30 pm: The state senate and house both unanimously passed a bill that gave state employees, including teachers, a 5 percent pay raise this year. After the senate passed the bill, teachers in the state capitol applauded and chanted, “Back to school!”

“The strike and its strong outcome should be seen as a shot across the bow to every lawmaker who may underestimate the support teachers have, the hard job they do, and their willingness to stand up for what they deserve as they educate the next generation,” said Christine Campbell, the president of AFT-West Virginia, in a statement.